How Social Media And Substance Abuse Are Correlated (And How To Avoid The Trap)

We live in times where everything is just a click of a button away. For example, sharing and accessing information is a cakewalk nowadays, thanks to the evolution of the social media. It has brought a huge change in our interaction, and of course, communication. For people who have just gotten out of rehab, using social media excessively during your recovery period can lead to a deadly relapse.

On social media sites, you might come across posts that trigger addiction

Social media has been designed in a way through which you keep a close contact with your family members, your co-workers, and your friends – all of whom have a major influence on you during your periods of sobriety. Now, if you have a friend who promotes alcohol and drugs no holds barred, sharing snaps from places you don’t have any recent access to, will definitely make you prone to a relapse, and the risks run high. This is how social media and substance abuse are correlated and you should definitely avoid the trap.

Social Media Has A Deep Impact On Addiction And Relapse

According to a study, 90% of those in their recovery phase is attached heavily to Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Among this 90%, the majority of users have confessed to having encountered cravings and have been tempted to consume again after they were laid bare to substance abuse glorification on these social media sites. In fact, another study reveals that social media sites can be more likely to lead to a growth of initial substance abuse in users. But what can be the reason?

People who are addicted to social media are more prone to partying and taking drugs

Theory says that some people actually want to experiment with alcohol and drugs in order to be at par with those whom they see partying around in their Facebook newsfeed. In comparison to those who prefer to stay away from social media, people who frequent them are actually five times more prone to smoking, drinking, and taking illicit drugs. Social media is armed with the power to influence people to substance abuse, and it is in one’s best interest to be cautious while surfing.

Here are some tips to avoid online triggers when you are recovering from addiction:

Do Not Log In When You Are Having A Bad Day

Surfing through the sites in times of a bad mood or a bad day can hamper your progress in your recovery period. When you come across party snaps spattered throughout your newsfeed, your mood can worsen in all probability. It’s better to focus on something else rather than browse through your news feeds.

Don’t Compare

Avoid anything that could trigger inferiority complex while using social media

At times, you might want to compare your own self with others, and social media plays a major role in accentuating this. A person who is in the recovery phase must remember that everything seems to be rosy out there, and it’s impossible to know a person’s true colors based on just a Facebook or a Twitter profile. Do keep in mind that no one is perfect. Social media is full of illusions of seemingly perfect lives. In case you think you are losing control of yourself, take the help of your family or someone who you thoroughly trust.

Unfollow Friends Who Don’t Stand By You

When you are in your phase of recovery, it’s absolutely necessary to be choosy, and mark your boundaries when it comes to your friends. If posts or snaps from someone triggers you, ask them to refrain from sharing such posts as it makes you uncomfortable. After a fair amount of warning, and admonishing, if this persists, feel free to click the ‘unfollow/unfriend’ button. Your emotional and mental health carries more worth than the relationship you share with that individual.

You can even get addiction recovery assistance on social media

Don’t lose sight of the fact that sharing positive content on social media sites can go a long way in motivating and encouraging you during the times of your recovery. And by sharing such content, you can definitely let out signals to others, making them aware of what exactly should they share with you on social media sites. Try using social media to spread positivity. Sharing updates on your phases of recovery, your health improvements, your positive thinking, and why staying away from substance abuse is an absolute necessity. This way, you will lend a big helping hand to others, letting them realize what’s right and what’s wrong on the road called life.